TJ Schur to lead IAF

A new CEO has been hired to lead the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.

TJ Schur will be the organization’s new CEO starting March 1, IAFBC announced February 3. She succeeds Michelle Koski, who left the organization at the end of January to become an assistant deputy minister in the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Schur brings an extensive resume to her new role, including senior management experience and leadership roles in not-for-profits, the agriculture sector, and provincial government.

She was most recently with the BC Ministry of Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, where she served on the Indigenous Clean Energy Opportunities Initiative and as director, strategic initiatives, with the Columbia River Treaty negotiating team.

In addition, Schur has experience in the hazelnut sector as a facilitator of recovery from Eastern Filbert Blight. She was director, external relations with renewable energy developer Aeolis Wind Power Corp. and has been a consultant and served on community boards.

“I look forward to working with IAF’s board of directors, member organizations, the staff, and all other stakeholders in BC for the betterment of food security in this province,” says Schur in the press release announcing her appointment. “IAF has a reputation of excellence in program delivery. I’m eager to join the team and forge new partnerships and collaborations with BC’s diverse and world-class agriculture, agri-food and seafood sectors.”

Schur will take helm as the five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership winds down and transitions to the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which is set to be in place April 1. It will run through 2028.

Most of IAF’s programs are now closed for applications, but new projects will be announced once funding is renewed under the new policy framework, IAF senior program manager Alana Wilson told producers attending the Islands Agriculture Show, February 3-4.

Speaking at the BC Agriculture Gala in Abbotsford on January 25, Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said work towards the bilateral agreement with BC for the new policy framework were progressing.

“Movements towards that have been positive and programs will be available post-April 1,” he says.

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4 days ago

There was a lot of reminiscing and appreciation of how far BC's turkey industry has come at a reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the BC Turkey Association and the 60th anniversary of the BC Turkey Marketing Board yesterday in Abbotsford. With a slideshow of events and people over the years, guests laughed and had a lot to be thankful for. "It's an opportunity to celebrate the industry at a time of year that's known for turkey. It's a culmination of all the year's work," says Natalie Veles, executive director with BC Turkey Marketing Board.

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Love it - Deb Etsell I see you 🤩

5 days ago

BC was the sole province to see farmland values decline in the first half of this year, dropping 1.9% according to a Farm Credit Canada report released Octover 7. This represented an acceleration in value declines from last year, and contributed to a 3.9% decline in the 12 montsh ended June 30. The drop follows on a 1.7% decline last year, which Farm Credit Canada attributed to tougher times in the fruit sector. However, the mid-year report points to a broader slowdown in value growth diven by higher production costs, tighter margins and uncertainty around trade, tariffs and international markets.

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Ndp

3 weeks ago

Channels of communication remain open between the provincial and federal governments with respect to financial relief for extraordinary costs stemming from this summer's ongoing drought and wildfires, but the BC Cattlemen's Association is urging producers to register for AgriStability to position themselves for any AgriRecovery package. "Hardworking families in the ranching and agriculture sectors, who provide food for the province, need the AgriRecovery program in place as soon as possible," says BC Cattlemen's president Alex Kuchar. But the provincial election creates an unfortunate delay. "It's not fair, in any form of the word, to see all those people who have lost so much in the fires to have to wait in limbo," says BC Cattlemen's general manager Kevin Boon.

Photo | Barb Edmonson / Firefly Ranch, Clinton

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Feedback on changes to rules governing food processing in the Agricultural Land Reserve has drawn about 250 submissions. But the proposal now hangs in the balance with Premier David Eby's decision to call a snap election, which also delays discussions of assistance for farmers hit hard by this year's wildfires and historic #BCAght.

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What would you expect from the NDP, when they still had a 2 year mandate?

Ridiculous timing. We have people needing answers and have to plan for winter supplies. Fires are long past, months have gone by knowing there was going to be the need for support. Drought was written on the wall even before summer began with no snow pack. This is not new to government and they are calling for another year just as bad for 2027. I throw my hands up and wonder what else needs to be more challenging than what we've experienced over the last 6 years in BC?

250 submissions.... I'm pretty sure there are more than 250 farmers in BC

With a provincial election called for October 24, BC agriculture is set to enter a new era. Veteran agriculture minister Lana Popham is not seeking re-election in Saanich South after 17 years as an MLA. BC's longest-serving agriculture minister, she fought for a stronger Agricultural Land Reserve and celebrated the diversity of BC's agriculture sector, but also took flak for shutting down mink farming and not securing more funding for the Agricultural Land Commission. She was also on the front lines of responses to multiple disasters, including the 2021 floods on Sumas Prairie. In a statement announcing her departure from political life, she said, "I look forward to contributing in other ways and ensuring that food security, protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve, and the people who feed us remain in the spotlight for years to come."

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Lana is/was an amazing Minister of Ag. I may not support her party but I think the world of her for her knowledge of, and connection to, our industry! Amazing!

You will be missed and congratulations on new horizons!

What a loss it will be not to have you as a hardworking cabinet member! Thank you for your dedication to agriculture!

I remember that day Lana! Wishing you all the best!

I had really hoped to see Lana Popham as our Premiere at some point but I am also happy for her, moving onto her next chapter. 😊

Thank you Lana for all the years of service, I can't even imagine how challenging your work has been.

That is an amazing run, thank you for your service!💐

Lana is an awesome supporter of agriculture in BC, she was amazing to work with as a minister and always there to listen and try to find solutions. 🌽🐓🚜🌾🐮🍎

Thank you, Ms. Popham, for your service. With you in your portfolio many of us felt that we had truly 'responsible government.'

This is great loss to agriculture in BC .No matter your politics you have to appreciate the energy and empathy she brought to the industry.She will be difficult to replace.

You will be missed but wishing you all the best - thank you.

Lana is the Best Minister of Agriculture and we are going to miss her! Hardworking for the people and leads with heart. I wish more politicians were like her. Thank you Minister Popham for your service! 🐝💕

Great picture!

I love this picture of you Lana.

What a super pic! We are going to miss you Lana.

Thank you so much for your public service. Wishing you well in this next phase of your work.

Vote conservative! Save bc!

Too bad Eby ignored her and is pushing for the 95% out of province, and out of country, food processing facilities on the ALR. Probably why she stepped down.

Thank god. Time for new blood that gives a shit and not just show up for photo ops…

End Eby! Save BC!

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